Man arrested for threatening priest after standoff at church

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SAN DIEGO — A man who allegedly threatened a priest at a University Heights church and then holed up inside the house of worship Tuesday was arrested following a brief standoff.

San Diego police received a report about the alleged threat at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church about 11:45 a.m., Sgt. Tom Sullivan said.

When officers arrived at the Polk Avenue parish, the suspect was inside, refusing to exit and surrender, he said. After about a half-hour, however, the man came out and was taken into custody. His name was not immediately available.

The subject of the alleged threat locked himself in an upstairs room at the church during the episode and was unharmed, Sullivan said.